The ex-Bluebirds midfielder, who died last year aged 35 and. Over the course of the afternoon/evening he has consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted his demeanour and steadiness. Former Cardiff City, Aston Villa and Blackburn midfielder Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35 after suffering a head injury from a fall in a pub earlier this month. Mr Hughes recorded the date of death as March 18 at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the cause of death as subdural hematoma (operated). Peter Whittingham hit his head and tragically died after falling down a flight of stairs at a pub in a drunken 'play fight' with friends, an inquest heard. He made over 450 appearances and scored 98 goals in 10 years at Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham has died aged 35. What a player Peter Whittingham was.Gone far too soon. He made more than 450 appearances for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. I dont even remember much of the following day.". The ex-Aston Villa player had been in hospital for more than a week after suffering a head injury in a fall in a pub in. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us.. Thoughts go to all the family, friends and club in this difficult time. The talented playmaker was named in the Championship Team of the Year on three occasions - also twice winning Cardiffs Player of the Season accolade. His retirement came about in 2018 after a spell with Blackburn Rovers. Former Premier League footballer Peter Whittingham has died at age 35 nearly two weeks after sustaining a head injury in an accidental fall at a pub, according to South Wales police. He said: "On March 7, 2020, he attended a pub in Barry with friends and relatives. Mr Taylor said Whittingham's eyes were "wide open and were almost completely white" having rolled to the back of his head. Williams said he found Whittingham lying at the bottom of the steps beyond a fire door in the pubs corridor with his face to the side, and tried to lift him up only to find his body limp. It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) March 19, 2020. A club statement read: It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. An ex-Cardiff City player hit his head and died after falling down stairs at a pub in a pretend fight with friends, an inquest heard. He added there was some mucking about but it was good-natured. Mr Whittingham then leaves the shot and a second or two later people rush to his aid. Mrs Whittingham was told her husband had had an accident and had a fall and was in hospital. What science tells us about the afterlife. Whittingham is congratulated by Rickie Lambert after scoring a free kick against Sheffield Wednesday. What was his cause of death? Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest at Pontypridd Coroner's Court. Ex-Chelsea ace Costa carried off with serious-looking injury for Wolves vs Spurs, Cherries take shock lead at Arsenal after 9 SECONDS with 'kick-off glitch', Moment Aston Villa's Leon Bailey inhales 'laughing gas' after all night party, 'Professional boxer' Paul teases announcement with hilarious video after Fury loss, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. The ex- Rovers man, who died last year aged 35 and spent a year at Ewood Park making 24 appearances, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub in Barry on March 7 last year. He described a general confusion as nobody knew how Mr Whittingham had been knocked out. I cannot remember being in the corridor and messing about with Pete and Ryan. The Championship club confirmed the former Bluebirds midfielder had died after a police. Peter Whittingham in action for Derby County Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded an accidental death conclusion. The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. The hearing was told how Whittingham had been on an all-day drinking session while watching Wales vs. England in the Six Nations. Express. She was told he had sustained a bleed to the brain and needed an operation. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. "They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time. She said she woke at around midnight to find her mum banging on her door. He was taken to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales and placed on life support but later died. South Wales Police said on Wednesday said there is no evidence or suggestion of a criminal act and that it appeared the injury was caused by an accidental fall. "Not only were you a great player and professional you were an amazing human, City loves you more than you know.". Coroner Graeme Hughes said Whittingham had "consumed a quantity of alcohol that has likely impacted on his demeanour and steadiness" before he fell. Whittinghams former Cardiff captain Mark Hudson, now a first-team coach at Huddersfield, tweeted: You my friend will received by the heavens with open arms. He added he and Mr Whittingham were at the pub to watch the Wales v England match. Or why not treat yourself? Prior to the inquest into his death beginning his widow Amanda addressed members of the press and called for her husband to be remembered for all he had achieved. She said: "Rob was going out to watch the Wales v England game at the Park Hotel pub in Barry and trying to persuade Peter to go with him. At around 9pm a female customer alerted him to the incident, saying: Someone's been knocked out." She said she woke at around midnight to find her mum banging on her door. FourFourTwo is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Peter Whittingham is critical in hospital, say police, Peter Whittingham is said to have suffered an accidental fall at a pub, Peter Whittingham's greatest goals for Cardiff City, Whittingham spent the best part of his career at Cardiff, The midfielder enjoyed a highly successful playing career, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). He said at time of the incident the only people present were Robert Williams, Ryan Taylor, and Mr Whittingham. ! He was also part of the defeated 2012 League Cup final side who took Liverpool to penalties after a 2-2 draw. 11:49 AM EDT, Fri March 20, 2020, Former Premier League footballer dead at 35. BA1 1UA. He said: "During a period of horseplay with a friend and a relative he appeared to have lost his balance, travelled through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and as he did so his head has come into contact with the steps. After leaving Cardiff in 2017, Mr Whittingham, originally from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, ended his career with Blackburn Rovers in 2018 before moving back to south Wales. "Some time after 9.30pm he was in an area near the toilets and adjacent to a fire door leading to a corridor and steps and outside smoking area. Peter Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest is told, Peter Whittingham made over 450 appearances and scored 98 goals in 10 years at Cardiff City, Whittingham played in two major finals for Cardiff and was part of their Championship-winning side in 2013. You will receive a verification email shortly. A two-time Cardiff player of the year, Whittingham captained Cardiff to promotion from the Championship in 2013, securing his third place in the divisions PFA Team of the Season for the third time in his career, while he also made the PFAs 2005-2015 Championship team of the decade. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Former Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham dies at age of 35, Peter Whittingham is regarded as a Cardiff city legend after starring for the Welsh club, Whittingham in action for Cardiff during the 2012 Carling Cup, The midfielder started his career at Aston Villa, Whittingham, pictured in action against Man City, is a two-time Cardiff player of the year. The club added: "The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time. She said: "Rob was going out to watch the Wales v England game at the Park Pub in Barry and trying to persuade Peter to go with him. "Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. He made 16 appearances for Englands Under-21 team in that time, scoring three goals, while featuring in Villas Premier League side. The model, 37, told how she and the former footballer, 41 . This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Robert Williams, Mr Whittingham's brother-in-law, told Pontypridd Coroner's Court they had been drinking lager, bitter and tequila through the afternoon and evening along with friend Ryan Taylor, and the evening was a "blackout" in his memory. Midfielder Peter Whittingham, 35, suffered a traumatic head injury at the pub nearly a year ago. Mr Davison said: "All of us were pretty drunk at that point.". "During a period of horseplay with a friend and relative he appears to have lost his balance and gone through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and his head has come into contact with the steps.". Then, as a professional footballer as a Bluebird [Cardiff Citys nickname] he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. "I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham tragically died after falling through a pub fire door and hitting his head, an inquest heard. A statement by Nicholas Davison, a friend of Peter Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said that the trio were in a round together while at the pub. Whittingham, an ex-England Under-21 international who started his career with Aston Villa, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub in Barry on March 7, 2020, where he had watched an England vs . A representative for brewer SA Brain, Richard Otley, is also present on the call. THE midfielder was rushed to hospital after an incident on Saturday March 7. Some time after 9.30pm he was in an area near the toilets and adjacent to a fire door leading to a corridor and steps and outside smoking area. Young guy's life taken so quickly after a freak accident. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Nicholas Davison, a friend of Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said the group were in a round of drinks and drank "between six and 10 pints" and had a "round of shots" at The Park pub. She is expecting their second child. He left Cardiff for Blackburn Rovers in 2017, before having his contract terminated just over a year later. The news of Peters sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. It read: "At around 10pm on March 7, South Wales Police were called to a licensed premises in Barry. In a statement read to the inquest he said the group with Mr Whittingham were all jolly and in good spirits and drinking steadily but nobody appeared overly drunk. Reaching a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Graeme Hughes said: On March 7, 2020, he attended a pub in Barry with friends and relatives. He is believed to have fallen down a flight of stairs at a pub in Barry and was left. By March 17 he had been off sedative drugs for a number of days but neurological recovery remained poor. I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Whittingham, Solskjaer said. "At this stage there is no evidence or suggestion of a criminal act, and it appears the injury was caused by an accidental fall. But he said the evening was a blackout, and had no memory of the former footballer falling. "I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs. The ex-Bluebirds midfielder, who died last year aged 35 and is regarded as one of the club's greatest ever players, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub in Barry on March 7 last year. Peter Whittingham, 35, died on March 18 last year after falling down pub stairs Father has been watching rugby with his family and friends in Barry at the time South Wales central coroner. Mr Whittingham's wife Amanda said he had not eaten since breakfast as he had been in a "rush" to watch the game when he left home at 15:00 GMT. Whittingham played in the FA Cup final in 2008 and the Carling Cup final in 2012, and collected a Championship winners medal in 2013 as Cardiff were promoted to the Premier League. "The news of Peter's sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation. CCTV captured Whittingham engaging in "horseplay" with the pair in a corridor, before he appeared to lose his balance and walked through a fire door off-camera and fell down eight steps and hit his head just after 9.30pm. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that. You can also subscribe to tailored content for Swansea, Newport, rugby, Cardiff City FC, Swansea City FC and more. But it was with the Welsh side that his talents really shone, becoming one of their most consistent performers between 2007 and 2017. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, rest in peace Whitts was too young, Whittingham played under current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2014, and the Norwegian called him an incredible human being.. Whittingham, a former England U21s international, sustained a head injury in a fall at a pub on March 7, 2020, where he had watched an England vs Wales rugby match with friends. He also played a key hand in helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2013 for the first time. Alan Lewis, general manager of the Park Hotel since October 2019, described the day Peter Whittingham fell as very busy due to the rugby international match. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us., READ: Borussia Monchengladbach players offer to give up their salaries. The former Cardiff midfielder has died at the age of 35 following a fall 12 days ago.. Whittingham suffered serious head injuries at a pub in Barry from what South Wales Police described as an "accidental fall". Ryan Taylor, who was out drinking with Mr Williams and Mr Whittingham at the time, said in a statement: I dont know if there was some sort of horse play but the next thing I remember was that he fell but I don't know how he got there or how he had fallen. On Tuesday, the coroner's court in Pontypridd, south Wales, heard the former England U21 international had gone drinking with his wife's brother and a friend to watch last year's England vs Wales Six Nations match. The former playmaker made 413 appearances for Cardiff, scoring 85 goals during a career spanning ten years in the Welsh capital. Changed your mind? Whittingham was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff following the fall, but his condition deteriorated and he died on March 18, 2020. Match of the Day: What fans can expect as show returns this weekend. The former Aston Villa youth player's pal said he fell in the corridor leading to the beer garden. Its a journalists duty to make sure the public understands the reasons why someone has died and to make sure their deaths are not kept secret. After leaving the Welsh capital in 2017, he spent a season at Blackburn Rovers before retiring in 2018. Whittingham, who scored 98 times in 459 games for the Bluebirds, is survived by wife Amanda. A statement by Nicholas Davison, a friend of Peter Whittingham and his brother-in-law Robert Williams, said that the trio were in a round together. It was an act of madness but it somehow worked out. The former Cardiff playmaker suffered head injuries at a pub in Barry on March 7 from what South Wales Police have described as an accidental fall. Coroner Graeme Hughes has recorded an accidental death conclusion. Whittinghams wife and mother to their two young boys, Amanda Whittingham, told the hearing he left home at about 3pm without eating since breakfast because he was in a rush to catch the game. He led the Bluebirds to the Premier League for the first time in 2013 and also helped them to the FA Cup final in 2008 and League Cup final in 2012. He said: "I dont know if there was some sort of horse play but the next thing I remember was that he fell but I don't know how he got there or how he had fallen. Did you encounter any technical issues? Meanwhile, Cardiff released a statement, reading: It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35. Get the best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. A medical cause of death was proposed as subdural hematoma operated. I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Whittingham, said Solskjaer, who was Cardiff manager in 2014. He left the club in 2017 for Blackburn Rovers, where he made 20 appearances. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Mr Taylor said he remembered people wanting to take pictures with Mr Whittingham in the corridor but also had no memory of play fighting or the fall. He said: "I walked over to him to offer my hand, thinking he would just take it and I would help him back up to his feet. Coronavirus Stay At Home challenge: What is it and how do you play? Get insight to top players, instructions & drills and extensive coverage of equipment. Blackburn said: Rovers are deeply saddened to learn the news that former midfielder Peter Whittingham has passed away, aged 35. He did not regain consciousness and died in hospital 11 days later. Coroner Graeme Hughes, the senior coroner for South Wales central area, formally begins the inquest. Nobody did it better. Manchester United chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - his former boss at Cardiff - paid tribute to Whittingham, calling him a "fantastic footballer and incredible human being". You were one of the most technical and gifted players Ive played with and that left foot of yours was like a wand. He died. When I looked more closely at Peter, I could see he wasn't moving and something was wrong.". Juventus and Wales midfielder Ramsey wrote on his Instagram account: I will forever be grateful for you taking me under your wing. Then, as a professional footballer as a Bluebird he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. A number of Mr Whittinghams family are listening to the inquest remotely including his wife, brother, and sister. On Thursday, after hearing of the news, England's official Twitter wrote: "Were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Whittingham, who made 17 appearances for our Under-21s between 2004 and 2007. He was taken to Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales and placed on life support but later died. Cardiff said Whittinghams death had left them heartbroken and had shaken us to our very foundation. 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He later died at 1.51pm on March 18, the inquest hears. "They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time. My deepest sympathy to your family x Heart broken x., You my friend will received by the heavens with open arms. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the games biggest names, insightful analysis and a bit of a giggle. Former Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham died after falling down stairs at a pub following a drunken "play fight" with friends, an inquest has been told. He later died at 1.51pm on March 18. View our online Press Pack. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Around 3pm that afternoon they left to go to Barry together. She recalled he hadnt eaten since breakfast. His languid style, his talented left foot former Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann referred to as one of the best left pegs Ive seen and his uncanny ability to score long-range goals helped Cardiff reach the 2008 FA Cup final and the 2012 League Cup final. Nobody did it better. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Mr Taylor said Mr Whittingham's eyes were "wide open and were almost completely white" having rolled to the back of his head. She said on the morning on the day of the incident that led to his death the had been out for a walk before her husband went out with her brother Robert Williams in Barry. During a period of horseplay with a friend and relative he appears to have lost his balance and gone through or caused to open the fire door, fallen, and his head has come into contact with the steps.. I just know he had hit his head on the small step on the stairs., He added: I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. Our love goes out to his wife Amanda, their young son and family. The coroner recorded a conclusion of accidental death. The former England Under-21 international made 459 appearances and scored 98 goals for Cardiff before finishing his career at Blackburn in 2018. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Do you know this baby? He played 66 games for Villa and had loan spells at Burnley and Derby before joining Cardiff in 2007. Whittingham is survived by wife Amanda, who is currently expecting their third child. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Unconfirmed rumours had claimed the former star ended up in hospital following an incident in the Park pub in Barry on March 7 - the same day as England vs Wales in the Six Nations. Just shows how precious life is. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him during my time at Cardiff City. You were one of the most technical and gifted players Ive played with and that left foot of yours was like a wand. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Read about our approach to external linking. "I was the first person there and offered him my hand thinking he would just take it and he would get up on his feet. Tributes have poured in from the world of football following Peter Whittinghams death at the age of 35. The Bluebirds icon was rushed to hospital after an incident on Saturday March 7. But his real success came after transferring to Welsh side Cardiff City for 350,000 ($412,000) in 2007, according to the BBC. The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. Former Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham dies aged 35, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning.